622 



GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE 



Another view of the collection. 



what was being done by his department in 

 the federal government in regard to bee 

 diseases and the extent to which they are 

 scattered over the country. He also gave 

 a demonstration of the treatment of foul 

 brood by shaking the bees from the comb. 

 This was watched with much interest. Bee- 

 keepers should feel thankful that this De- 

 partment is taking such an active part 

 in the protection of our bees, and that 

 we have so able and enthusiastic a leader 

 at its head as Dr. Phillips. 



Dr. J. B. Paige demonstrated the use 

 of new tools, etc., for beekeepers, and 0. 

 F. Fuller showed his queen-rearing outfit 

 in operation. 



Methods of shaking swarms, etc., were 

 explained by H. F. Carey and others. 



Beekeeping in Massachusetts is coming 

 into its own. Not only are established bee- 

 keepers receiving aid, but new comers are 

 being brought into the ranks by the work 

 of the beekeeping department of the Mas- 

 sachusetts Agricultural College under the 

 able direction of Dr. Burton N, Gates. Be- 

 gun about two years ago in a small and 

 modest vpay, the department under Dr. 

 Gates has grown in size and scope until 

 now it is doing a really important service 

 to the beekeepers of the State. A thor- 

 oughly practical course in management and 

 manipulation offered to regular students 



at the college is but one phase of the work 

 which is being done for beekeeping in 

 Massachusetts. A short history of bee- 

 keeioing as an art supplements this prac- 

 tical course. Other lines of work carried 

 on by the department are State inspection 

 of apiaries with a view to combat and con- 

 trol the two most important bee diseases — 

 American and European foul brood; the 

 offering of courses to those attending the 

 two weeks short course held in May, and 

 general instruction of beekeepers. 



The course offered to the regular stu- 

 dents is one of the very few given in tliis 

 country, there being, perhaps, but two other 

 colleges, at the most, giving instruction in 

 this work. Over 85 students enrolled in 

 the course, attesting to its jDopularity and 

 value. The nature of the work, of course, 

 requires that much of the time be spent 

 in the laboratory. During the winter months 

 the time is occupied with setting up hives, 

 nailing frames and other hive parts, and 

 the study of mechanical hive manipulation. 

 When the weather becomes more mild, con- 

 siderable attention is given to the manage- 

 ment of colonies, the study of swarming, 

 the taking care of swarms, wax extraction, 

 and other important work that confronts 

 the practical beekeeper. Working with the 

 idea that proper management depends di- 

 rectly on the intelligent study of the habits 



